The first international Jagannath festival was held in New Delhi from December 6 to 14, organised by the Jagannath Chetana Samanwaya Samiti, a unit of Kalinga Bharathi Foundation in association with Shri Jagannath Sanskuriti Parishad, Bhubaneswar and Dr Das Foundation, USA.
The grand gala occasion was inaugurated by Puri Gajapati Divyasingha Deb. Joining as the chief guest on the inauguration day, former President Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee opined that Lord Jagannath is the Lord of the universe. He said that all efforts should be made by the dedicated devotees of Lord Jagannath to spread the cult of the Lord through out the world.
Spiritual saints like Swamy Madhavananda Saraswati Maharaj, Swamy Sibananda Saraswati Maharaj, Swamy Sachithananda Dasji Maharaj besides Paramhansa Pragyananda Maharaj participated as chief speakers during the weeklong celebration. Near about 25,000 Jagannath devotees assembled.
Over 200 religious organisations along with 50 Jagannath temples from india and abroad joined the fray with utmost devotion and enthusiasm. The highlights of the occasion were special seminars.